Ukraine: “I just want to get my mum here so I know she’s safe”

Inga Zamolynska has five cousins who are still in Ukraine (Credit: BHRUT)

A local NHS worker is urgently gathering supplies to send to her family and friends in Ukraine as Russia continues its invasion of the country.

Inga Zamolynska moved to the UK in 2004 and decided to stay here permanently after meeting her partner Christian. 

They now have a daughter, 12, and son, 4, and she works as an outpatient experience coordinator at Queen’s and King George hospitals. 

However, Inga has been unable to focus on daily life ever since the invasion began a week ago.

She is extremely worried about her 73-year-old mum Hanna and her other relatives who are still in Ukraine. 

“I just want to get my mum here so I know she’s safe,” said Inga. “While she visits me a lot she has always wanted to stay in Ukraine as it’s her home, and even now she is reluctant to leave. She doesn’t want to be a burden to anyone.

“I also have five cousins, one who had a baby six months ago. They’ve had to flee Lviv and go back to our home village, which is in the west of Ukraine and further from main roads. They will often hear sirens go off and have to hide in shelters.

“Friends and relatives are telling me about babies being born in basements and families struggling to feed their children. It’s so scary and while the village where my family are is quiet for now, how long will that last?”

Inga is going to spend the weekend gathering clothes, toiletries and medicines to send back to Ukraine. She said she is constantly thinking about the terrible events happening there.  

“It’s always on my mind and gets a little harder each day,” she explained. “I feel lost as I can’t understand what’s happening. 

“There was a revolution in 2014 and my mum said then this would lead to war. But I didn’t think this would happen.

“My partner is being very supportive, so are my colleagues and lots of friends have been contacting me.

“My cousin knows boys who are going off the war and said they are in high spirits and so brave. The people in Ukraine are more united now than ever. Everyone is pulling together to help each other.”

Inga also has sympathy for Russian people who are not in support of this invasion, yet are being affected by sanctions, and arrested for protesting against the acts of their leader.

If you would like to support those affected in Ukraine, you can donate online to the Disasters Emergency Committee’s Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal.

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